BEQGX vs. VFIAX

Last updated Jun 3, 2026

BEQGX (American Century Equity Growth Fund) and VFIAX (Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares) are both mutual funds - BEQGX is a Large Cap Blend Equities fund managed by American Century, while VFIAX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index. Over the past 10 years, BEQGX returned 13.65%/yr vs 15.61%/yr for VFIAX. With a 0.98 correlation, they move nearly in lockstep. BEQGX charges 0.65%/yr vs 0.04%/yr for VFIAX.

Performance

BEQGX vs. VFIAX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in American Century Equity Growth Fund (BEQGX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, BEQGX achieves a 10.34% return, which is significantly lower than VFIAX's 11.54% return. Over the past 10 years, BEQGX has underperformed VFIAX with an annualized return of 13.65%, while VFIAX has yielded a comparatively higher 15.61% annualized return.

BEQGX

• 1D: 0.67%
• 1M: 6.25%
• YTD: 10.34%
• 6M: 11.24%
• 1Y: 31.36%
• 3Y*: 22.84%
• 5Y*: 11.60%
• 10Y*: 13.65%

VFIAX

• 1D: 0.27%
• 1M: 5.23%
• YTD: 11.54%
• 6M: 11.91%
• 1Y: 29.53%
• 3Y*: 22.66%
• 5Y*: 14.13%
• 10Y*: 15.61%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

BEQGX vs. VFIAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
BEQGX American Century Equity Growth Fund	10.34%	18.38%	24.70%	24.37%	-22.99%	27.19%	14.52%	28.42%	-6.00%	21.85%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	11.54%	17.83%	24.97%	26.24%	-18.16%	28.65%	18.32%	31.46%	-4.45%	21.78%

Correlation

The correlation between BEQGX and VFIAX is 0.97 - these two move nearly in lockstep. At this level, holding both provides almost no diversification benefit. If you already own one, adding the other does little to reduce portfolio risk.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.97
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.98
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.98
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.98
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Nov 14, 2000	0.98

The correlation between BEQGX and VFIAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.97 to 0.98 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

BEQGX vs. VFIAX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

BEQGX

BEQGX Risk / Return Rank: 70
BEQGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 78
BEQGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 68
BEQGX Omega Ratio Rank: 63
BEQGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 67
BEQGX Martin Ratio Rank: 73

VFIAX

VFIAX Risk / Return Rank: 74
VFIAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 77
VFIAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Omega Ratio Rank: 69
VFIAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 74
VFIAX Martin Ratio Rank: 84

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

BEQGX vs. VFIAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for American Century Equity Growth Fund (BEQGX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	BEQGX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	2.56	2.55	+0.01
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.45	3.46	-0.01
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.44	1.46	-0.02
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	3.17	3.38	-0.20
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	13.96	15.82	-1.86
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

BEQGX vs. VFIAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current BEQGX Sharpe Ratio is 2.56, which is comparable to the VFIAX Sharpe Ratio of 2.55. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of BEQGX and VFIAX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	BEQGX	VFIAX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	2.56	2.55	+0.01
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.69	0.84	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.76	0.87	-0.10
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.51	0.47	+0.04

Drawdowns

BEQGX vs. VFIAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum BEQGX drawdown since its inception was -54.43%, roughly equal to the maximum VFIAX drawdown of -55.20%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for BEQGX and VFIAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	BEQGX	VFIAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-54.43%	-55.20%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-10.01%	-8.90%	-1.11%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-20.54%	-18.75%	-1.79%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-27.25%	-24.53%	-2.72%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-31.94%	-33.83%	+1.89%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.39%	-9.40%	+0.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	2.28%	1.90%	+0.38%

Volatility

BEQGX vs. VFIAX - Volatility Comparison

American Century Equity Growth Fund (BEQGX) and Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares (VFIAX) have volatilities of 2.70% and 2.82%, respectively, indicating that both stocks experience similar levels of price fluctuations. This suggests that the risk associated with both stocks, as measured by volatility, is nearly the same. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	BEQGX	VFIAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	2.70%	2.82%	-0.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	9.42%	8.99%	+0.43%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	12.53%	11.88%	+0.65%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	16.99%	16.90%	+0.09%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.95%	18.07%	-0.12%

BEQGX vs. VFIAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

BEQGX has a 0.65% expense ratio, which is higher than VFIAX's 0.04% expense ratio.

Dividends

BEQGX vs. VFIAX - Dividend Comparison

BEQGX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 10.43%, more than VFIAX's 1.01% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BEQGX American Century Equity Growth Fund	10.43%	11.50%	0.58%	1.20%	9.65%	27.71%	12.60%	10.44%	13.39%	10.22%	1.86%	8.27%
VFIAX Vanguard 500 Index Fund Admiral Shares	1.01%	1.12%	1.24%	1.45%	1.68%	1.24%	1.53%	1.87%	2.05%	1.78%	2.02%	2.10%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both BEQGX and VFIAX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.97, BEQGX and VFIAX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, BEQGX or VFIAX?

VFIAX has higher volatility (2.82%) compared to BEQGX (2.70%). In terms of maximum drawdown, BEQGX dropped -54.43% vs VFIAX's -55.20%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

BEQGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.56 vs 2.55), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.